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Last Blog as President and Founder of CORE: On the Shoulders of Giants
Posted December 3, 2020
by Linda Diamond, President, CORE and author of Teaching Reading Sourcebook and Assessing Reading: Multiple Measures“Once you learn to read you will be forever free.” Frederick Douglass
As I get ready to retire from CORE in late December, I have been looking back at all of those who guided us along the way. CORE started inside an education, public policy think tank because of the willingness and vision of my then boss, Paul Berman. He, in turn, was urged by Marion Joseph, a grandmother with political acumen and a former California state board of education member, who saw the damage being done to children in California who were not learning to read. Bill Honig, California’s former superintendent, Anne Cunningham, Sheila Mandel, and Ruth Nathan and I took a leap in 1995 and decided to create what was first called the Consortium on Reading Excellence (CORE). We knew that a strong body of research existed, then over 30 years’ worth, but it had not made its way into the field. California’s reading scores were awful and whole language was the main approach.
So, with the help of Joe Torgesen, Ed Kame’enui, Doug Carnine, Louisa Moats, Barbara Foorman, John Shefelbine, Shane Templeton, and later Isabel Beck, we launched CORE. These experts placed their faith in us because they wanted the knowledge to move from the research field into teaching practice. Our current Advisory Board members, Scott Baker, Elsa Cárdenas-Hagen, David Chard, Steve Dykstra, Sherril English, Claude Goldenberg, Zaretta Hammond, Michelle Hosp, Ed Kame’enui, Rick Miller, Louisa Moats, Mark Shinn, and Shane Templeton, continue to guide us and keep us on the straight path. We miss our dear friend, colleague, and my shoe-shopping companion Phyllis C. Hunter, who first spoke about Reading as a Civil right. But there have always been others to whom we have gone for advice: Anita Archer, Kevin Feldman, Alice Furry, David Kilpatrick, Reid Lyon, Louise Spear-Swerling, and Tim Shanahan. Because we are an organization that bases the work we do in literacy and math on research, evidence guides us and so we rest on the shoulders of these giants.
My own journey started as a high school English teacher with my degree in Medieval English Literature with an emphasis on the Miracle and Morality Plays. This meant for certain that I had no idea how to teach reading. Yet my first teaching job required me to teach 22 high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who were struggling readers. I was blessed, however, to be led to my hero, Siegfried Engelmann, and Direct Instruction. If it were not for Ziggy, I probably would have left the profession. He taught me how to teach reading. Later, I was guided by another incredible educator, Marva Collins, who taught me that anything is possible, that all children can excel, and that if they do not succeed, the fault lies with us, not with them. From Ziggy and Marva, I brought that passion to CORE.
Just like Ziggy and Marva, CORE began and continues to work in school systems with our most marginalized students. For years we provided the only PD in reading and math to the Bureau of Indian Education reservation schools and to remote Alaskan Native populations. Because CORE has always been committed to equity and educational justice, we have not chosen the easy schools where students have access to resources that the school or their families provide if extra support is needed. CORE chose a different path. We may be the only organization that has a consultant who became an honorary tribal member or another consultant who went out on “Moose Patrol” duty while at a remote Alaskan school or a consultant who helicoptered down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon to serve a reservation. I am proud that CORE has made a difference for so many students and teachers.
But we lost many of our friends and supporters over these many years, in addition to Ziggy and Marva and Phyllis Hunter. We lost our dear friend John Shefelbine. John was a constant cheerleader for reading done right, and his legacy lives on at CORE with our partnership with the Collaborative Classroom to support SIPPS. Other important friends we lost include Glen Thomas, a former state assistant superintendent and education secretary who was a constant supporter; Kathy Cooper, an amazing educator in Sacramento who also was a warrior for reading; Leslie Schwarze, a tireless advocate for research-based instructional materials whose passion for improving reading for underserved students cannot be overstated; and Jill Jackson, who was one of the most gifted trainers and reading professional development experts in the country.
And then there are our consultants and our educators. It is hard to come up with superlatives to characterize them all adequately. Some of our consultants have been with us right from the start, like Teresa Roeder since 1997, and then Lauren Greenberg a year later, and then a bit later Susan Van Zant, then Nancy McGivney and then Nancy Volpe. Some joined us and left only to return, Tina Pelletier and Dale Webster and Cris Goldy (they can’t stay away). What all of our consultants have in common is a passion to make a difference in the learning trajectory of children and the teachers who teach them. Then there are our clients. We have schools and districts that have honored us by having our consultants support them for many years. To the countless educators who have worked so hard and so relentlessly to ensure that their students realize strong achievement and close inequitable gaps, I must say “bless you.”
It has been a challenging time for many of our consultants during this pandemic, but I have seen them gamely and confidently move from the face-to-face professional learning to which they were accustomed to providing the same excellent service remotely. And to all the staff at CORE who provide the important support and structures that have enabled us to do the work, I can only say, “Thank you.”
As I prepare to leave, I know that CORE is in capable hands. Dale Webster, our superb chief academic officer, will continue to shepherd our work; Carrie Thomas Beck, a new addition as director of literacy, is a brilliant and knowledgeable educator with a strong background in understanding dyslexia; Dean Ballard, our director of math, has created outstanding math services based on research evidence; and Cris Goldy, who returned to us, is bringing years of experience and strong leadership.
What will I do after CORE? Certainly, I intend to remain an advocate for policy changes to ensure that effective reading practices take root. BJ Thorsnes, one of our great former consultants, and I will try to write a book for teachers to use to actually teach writing well. We have talked about this for years. Now is the time. I also will continue to do some consulting, but CORE and all our schools will never be far from my thoughts.
The old guard is moving on. Many of us who started out as early advocates for the science of reading are either retired or retiring. But thankfully, others are keeping this work going, strong voices all.
26 responses to “Last Blog as President and Founder of CORE: On the Shoulders of Giants”
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Linda, in just about every important aspect of leadership in our field, involving California and many other organizations and state initiatives, you have been a key, “go-to” figure since 1995. Your knowledge, your insights, and your unwavering advocacy have had enormous influence on the educational experiences of countless teachers, administrators, and students. I sure hope you continue the advocacy; please stay involved. We need you. Wishing you all the best. With enduring gratitude. Louisa
Linda, thank you for sharing your thoughts today, and a HUGE thank you for sharing your expertise and knowledge over the years. I know that you have impacted so many educators, and through them, their students. It is almost impossible to imagine CORE without you; you ARE CORE. But it is also nice to hear your thoughts on how CORE is part of something much bigger, an effort on the part of so many researchers and practitioners to ensure that evidence-based practices make it into classrooms, especially for our most vulnerable students. You will be dearly missed at CORE, but I trust that the company you built will stay strong and committed to your vision!
Linda, you are a force! Over the years we have seen so many shifts in philosophy and teaching. You have been consistent in your beliefs and have made a positive impact on the lives of so many. You will be missed greatly and I thank you for all you have given. I will especially miss someone I can email about SIPPS between midnight and 2am and get an immediate answer 😀. The best to you. I’ll look forward to your book and hearing about your next adventures.
You will be greatly missed! I will forever be indebted to you for your support and knowledge that you helped me acquire. I am honored to have been part of your team. Wishing you the best for your new adventure.
This goodbye blog from Linda Diamond is a nice trip down memory lane. Thank you for it, Linda. I did not know about John Shefelbine or Leslie Schwarze, alas, so my heart is heavy at knowing they are no longer in the fray. But we—CORE—had the support and energy of the best of the best for so many years, from the top educational researchers in the nation, from the shining stars of California educational politics and think-tanks (Go ask Alice. I think she’ll know!), from the expertise and dedication of our incredible trainers, and from some amazing classroom teachers and school leaders who understood what we were saying and simply went to work and changed children’s lives forever, we had support and validation everywhere we looked.
It was not an accident that CORE had so much support from so many quarters. We had an indomitable helmsman, or helmswoman, in Linda. I worked for Linda and Bill for many years in a number of capacities, from content writer to trainer to editorial director. Linda could be a tough taskmaster, and there are even rumors of some legendary yelling between the two of us, but she kept CORE productive and relevant through thick and thin for many years. I don’t know if it was instinct, wisdom, or divine providence, but Linda was able to determine the best course of action time and again, a skill I admired greatly. She, and Bill, ensured that we could do the work we were all dedicated to doing.
Bon Voyage to the next port, Linda. See you there!
BJ Thorsnes
Linda has always been that honest & dedicated voice needed to remind & wake us up. I am now more dedicated than ever to carry this work forward & be bold in reminding others of Linda’s work & words “all children can excel. If they do not succeed, the fault lies with us, not with them.” Thank you Linda for this history of CORE. What a remarkable background! Congratulations & happy retirement! 💝
Thank you for these lovely comments. They mean so much to me.
Linda, your vision, hard work and your passion to help others in need have always shined through your smiling face and it all came from the heart. Thank you for your persistence to fight for those in need. The whole industry has been rewarded by your efforts. Bless you Linda. Thank you for the mark you will leave on all of us!
Linda, thank you for sharing your thoughts and for allowing me to be a part of CORE. Working with CORE truly has been the pinnacle of my career! The knowledge I acquired at CORE, I continue to share with the small rural districts of the panhandle of Florida. I will forever be grateful and extremely honored to have been one of CORE’s elite consultants under your tutelage and the incredible CORE TEAM! It truly was a PRICELESS time in MY life! 💗💗💗
Linda that was a moving good bye. I’m so happy that Leslie Schwarze introduced me to Dale Webster and through him I came to know CORE’s work and you. It’s been an honor to collaborate with you and hope we have the opportunity to work together again in the future.
So very thankful to have found CORE during the Reading First years. The Teaching Reading Soucebook was the go to for training in South Dakota at that time. I was so fortunate to be trained by the wonderful Jill Jackson and I miss her every day. Thank you for all the hard work over the years. Enjoy your retirement but be sure to get that writing book written. There is such a need for it.
Thank you, Linda for piloting CORE these many years! Your team of literacy experts has brought insight and energy to the field. Many of my proudest career accomplishments are the result of my work with you and on behalf of CORE. Be well, my friend.
I was very happy to see that you have done work with the BIE schools. It is such a needed population specifically in the area of reading. I have been a special education teacher and reading specialist working with Native American students for the past 10 years and I love it!
Wishing you peace, health and happiness in your retirement, Linda. Fifteen years ago a colleague shared with me a copy of the CORE Reading Fundamentals PRG and since that day have been grateful for everything CORE has done to elevate my capacity to improve outcomes for the students we serve here in our district. Best from all of us here in the PNW!
Linda, you have provided a wonderful legacy from the Soucebook to the many gifted consultants you have deeply influenced. I was privileged to be part of the team for over 13 years and and treasure the many research/instructional legends you were able to add to our repertoire. You mentioned many of them in your comments and I humbly offer two more; Anita Archer & Kevin Feldman. I wish you good health and fulfillment as you transition to whatever is your next endeavor.
Thank you for these kind words. Leaving is definitely bittersweet but I will stay engaged!
Linda, you were the very reason that I was interested in being part of your team. CORE has never been a sales-first organization but focused on integrity of information and research. I have so appreciated representing you and a company that is dedicated to all students and success built on real results. It has been a privilege.
Linda-
Thank you for all you have done to support all of us as we strive to give aspiring and practicing educators access to the research and its application to the teaching of reading.
The Sourcebook, aka The Bible by my students, has transformed lives.
Wishing you a wonderful retirement!
With gratitude and respect,
Maureen Ruby
Linda, you have provided a wonderful legacy from the Soucebook to the many gifted consultants you have deeply influenced. I was privileged to be part of the team for over 13 years and treasure the many research/instructional legends you were able to add to our repertoire. You mentioned many of them in your comments and I humbly offer two more; Anita Archer & Kevin Feldman. I wish you good health and fulfillment as you transition to whatever will be your next endeavor.
Thank you, Linda, for your expertise, guidance and friendship. It’s good to know you will continue I. This important work…just in a different capacity.
Linda,
I have been a part of the CORE finance / accounting team for 2 years now. I have so much respect and gratitude for the amazing work that CORE does and the wonderful staff of professionals we have here.
Thank you so much for your inspiration, vision and tireless work.
Randy Westbrook, CORE Accounting
Linda, this is a beautiful and gracious message. Thank you for all of your contributions to the field; you have left an indelible mark on educators and most importantly children. Your trailblazing has made you an inspiration to me and countless others. I know we will continue to work together and for that I am grateful! May this new chapter of your life be your best adventure yet!
For twelve years I was a part of your wonderful team of educators who learned and translated that learning to help teachers all over the US bring their best to teaching reading. Thank you for all the experience and learning I gained working for CORE. Enjoy your well deserved retirement
Thank you so much for starting CORE. It has been an invaluable resource for many teachers and Orton-Gillingham tutors.
Linda,
I will always be forever grateful to you and your team for all the help and support you provided to the Clark County School District when I served as the Literacy Director (back in the day). The professional learning was simply the best , and the trainer of trainer programs helped us build capacity. Best of success to you and your new literacy adventures! You will be missed .
It as been an honor and a privilege to be in your presence in the spaces we have shared as reading and literacy allies. You are amazing. It is so inspiring to know that Marva Collins (an educator who helped fuel the fire of high expectations for all students in me) and my shero and mentor I love and miss, Phyllis Hunter, are also members of your literacy village. Actually, this confirms why you have impressed and inspired me so deeply…you are simply a wonderful human being, and great leader. Great leaders influence, and you have have a profoundly positive influence on my life. Thank you.